TALLAHASSEE — Orange County, where tourists rent more cars than anywhere in the world, may restrict auto rental companies from overcharging customers for damage and theft coverage.

County Commissioner Vera Carter said Friday that an ordinance has been drafted aimed at regulating sale of the controversial collision-damage waivers.

''I've heard horror stories,'' Carter said. ''Based on what I have been told it does seem that some people have been open to unnecessary charges.''

Commissioners could debate the proposal Monday.

Consumer groups have long contended that auto rental firms pressure customers into buying the waivers, which offer protection from liability if the rental car is damaged or stolen. However, the groups argue, many customers already have coverage through their personal car insurance or credit card policies.

Hertz, the leading auto rental firm, agrees and wants to eliminate the waivers. But other firms, led by Alamo Rent A Car, find the policies profitable and want to keep them.

Smaller companies say they need to sell the waivers, which can cost from $3 a day to $12.95 or more in Orlando, to compete with firms such as Hertz.

In Orange County, a group called Floridians Asking for Honest Rates kicked off a media blitz earlier this week when it ran newspaper and TV ads and mailed 200 letters to tourism-related businesses to encourage getting rid of the waivers.

Susan Pregmon, the organization's spokeswoman in Orlando, said Hertz was backing the drive.

The company has pumped at least $20,000 into the local media campaign, Hertz spokesman Joe Russo said from the company's headquarters in Park Ridge, N.J.

Russo said the company is working with other consumer organizations such as the Florida Consumer Action Network and the Florida Consumer Federation to get rid of the waivers.

The Orange County action, which could spread to Broward, home base of Alamo, and Hillsborough counties, comes as efforts at the state level to restrict the waivers appear to be waning.

Rep. Bruce McEwan, R-Orlando, Thursday withdrew a bill to restrict sale of the waivers after it was headed for certain defeat in the House Insurance Committee.

Carter said she would rather have the Legislature regulate the sale of waivers.

''I would rather the state do it. I hate doing it piecemeal.''

Carter, who has not decided whether to support the ordinance, said she agreed to have the staff draft a possible ordinance restricting the sale of the waivers. It is similar to one passed this month by Dade County.

Dade's ordinance forces rent-al car companies to sell waivers at cost. Companies breaking the law face a $500 fine or the threat of a 60-day jail term for their officers.

Shortly after Dade passed its ordinance, Alamo filed suit in in federal court, charging the ordinance is unconstitutionally vague. A final hearing will be held shortly.

Phil Shailer, Alamo's senior vice president, said the company would fight Hertz's attempts in Orange County. He called it another ploy by Hertz to restrict the waivers and make it more difficult for smaller rental car companies to compete.

''This certainly is a new strategy, They're going to do it on the local level,'' Shailer said.

Russo denied the company has a strategy to push for local regulation in major markets although it will help consumer groups seek waiver regulation.

''We support the elimination of CDWs (waivers) and we make no bones about that,'' he said.